"You must listen to me, Jaewhi. You hear me..?" Mother repeatedly said, her tone and eyes shaky, both her hands on my shoulders, gripping them tightly. I simply remained smiling because opposing her would make everything worse.
"You must not let that wretched girl surpass you..! You are my son, my only son. You understand Mom, right..? You'll listen to me, right, dear..?" she said, her voice gradually getting louder, her grip tightening. I must not let my expression change other than a soft smile for my mother. "Yes.. I understand.." I replied. She let out a sigh of relief, her complexion returning back to the way it was before the banquet, and smiled at me. "That's my boy.." she said, caressing my head and patting my wrinkled suit due to her grip.
Mother then returned back to her seat with a smile, laughing like nothing happened here in the hallway near the bathroom. My eyes narrowed, glaring at my mother from afar before opening the bathroom door while I tugged my tie.
I paused for a while after seeing a person standing in front of the door. I ignored him and headed straight toward the sink and washed my hands. I stared at him in the mirror as he left like he was in a hurry.
Did he perhaps hear my mother's conversation earlier..? If so, it can't be good. Father won't be too happy to hear about a rumor breaking into his facade. However, that boy seems to be one of my current classmates and also one of Lucas's friends. I couldn't recognize him at first, but judging by his appearance, he looks like one of the rich men's sons invited here. I clicked my tongue and combed my hair back with my hand. He's Isaac, was it..? Now how will I deal with this discreetly..? I walked out of the bathroom with my clothes and appearance looking neat again. And before that, I gotta deal with Lucas first.
I walked toward Lucas's table with a smile. His table also had many familiar faces, but interacting with them will be for another time. Lucas stared at me with a baffled expression, realizing I was walking toward him. Next to him were his mother and father.
"Good day, Mr. and Mrs. Goettems," I greeted them while smiling softly. "Can I excuse your son, Lucas, with me for a second..? I have something to discuss with him, it'll just be quick," I added. Mrs. Goettems chuckled softly. "Sure, sweetie.." she responded with a smile.
As expected of a famous actress, she really is beautiful up close. Her beauty hides a hint of manliness and an unapproachable aura. Those fans of hers were really not exaggerating about her. "I didn't know you two were close, Gabriel," Mr. Nikolayev said, sitting beside Lucas's father. "Good day, Mr. Nikolayev," I greeted him. "Lucas has been taking care of me in school a lot, which is why we're quite close. And of course, Sevastyan is also helping me a lot in school too. He understands math easily, and I usually ask for his help sometimes," I added. "Wow, is that so..?" Mr. Nikolayev replied as he patted Sevastyan's back.
Sevastyan really is the exact carbon copy of his father, except for his blue eyes. Aleksándr Sergey Nikolayev, a famous doctor, is known for his hands of god—capable of doing successful hard surgeries each day. The man on his right is his assistant, who is also his brother and Yelizaveta's father.
"You better be good, Lucas." Mr. Goettems said as Lucas stood up. "Geez, I'm not a kid anymore, Dad." he replied, feeling embarrassed. "Alright, alright." Mr. Goettems laughed.
We walked toward the balcony once again, as it was the only place where there were no people around and we could freely discuss my intentions.
"What is it..?" he asked, leaning on the balustrade. "Have you decided what you wanna run in the campaign?" I bluntly asked, and he pondered. "I still haven't thought about it," he replied. "I have.. I want to run as the student council president." I shouted. He was surprised at first but quickly turned into a playful grin. "Ah, now that I remember, I did think about it.. I also want to run as the president.. Oh no.." he said with a playful tone, crossing his arms with a smirk.
I already expected his answer to be something about him also wanting to run as the president beforehand, but his response is too much. He deliberately chose to do so after hearing my response. My blood boiled. I really want to punch that cocky face of his.
"Why.." I asked, my brows furrowed. It's no use buttering him up when he already knows how I am from the first day.. "Why would I tell you?" He tilted his head and raised an eyebrow. My patience grew thin. Patience, Gabriel, patience. "You do realize that we're in this trouble together, do you..?" I said. He replied with a scoff, rolling his eyes. "Ah, that's right."
Both of us went silent, only the chatter and music coming from inside making noise. The moon was bright and shining down on us on the balcony. He turned his back, facing the moon in silence.
"What about you.. Why do you want to run as the president?" he said, turning his head, the moonlight glistening in his eyes. I stayed silent. I could not possibly just bluntly say to him that my family is so obsessed with adding some fame to their name. "I can't tell you.." I replied, staring back at him. He turned his head back.
"You see, Gabriel, there are times I don't get you," he said, turning back once again and walking slowly toward me. "What..?" I muttered, taken aback. "You are quite an interesting person, I give you that.." I got pissed off, feeling somehow offended by his words, and furrowed my brows. "But you see, I don't quite understand why you are so desperate about your achievements. Like you are craving or eager—perhaps some kind of academic validation," Lucas added, his stare piercing into mine, reminding me of my childhood trauma. I broke out in a cold sweat, my hands trembling. I could not utter a single word after his words hit me hard.
"Back then, on the first day, a certain person suddenly crashed into me. I was confused and of course pissed off. But the moment I saw you react like that back in the headmaster's office.. Why are you so desperate about something when you already have it all..?" he said once again, this time his hands tucking my fringe behind my ear.
My vision blurred and darkened, his words suddenly making me remember something from the past that triggered the trauma I've been keeping.
"Is your father's validation all that you care about, huh..?! So much more than your own ------? Isn't that right..!? Answer me..!"
"Lee Jaewhi!"
"Lee Jaewhi!" Lucas shouted out my name, surprised and confused. I was gasping for air, almost having another hyperventilation, my knees weak and my body leaning onto Lucas's, helping me so I wouldn't fall to the ground.
I quickly regained my composure and pushed him away. My body still felt a bit weak and nauseous, but my pride rose up.
"I'm sorry, I di—" Lucas tried to say something and reached out his hand, trying to help me, but I cut him off and slapped his wrist.
"Mind your own business, Lucas Leonardo Goettems. You really do know how to piss me off every time, don't you?" I said with a furious tone and walked away. My hands were feeling cold, my complexion still pale. I pulled myself together despite being on the brink of passing out and walked toward the place where Benedict was staying, and the moment I saw him—I collapsed.